Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Specific Power Sources in Vermont: VTEP Report

MONTPELIER - A publication released today by the Vermont Energy Partnership (VTEP), “Vermont Electricity at a Glance," examines Vermont's electricity portfolio. The publication includes the rates charged by each Vermont utility, the type of generation and amount of power supplied in megawatt-hours, the amount of renewable power, and (in most cases) the specific power generators and/or contracts.

“Vermont Electricity at a Glance” also portrays Vermont’s statewide increase in power rates in comparison with neighboring states. In 2012, Vermont’s electricity rates rose five percent while rates stayed level or fell in New York or all other New England states (except Rhode Island, also five percent). To view the publication, please click here.

The Vermont Energy Partnership (http://www.vtep.org) is a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community leaders committed to finding clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity solutions for Vermont.

This new VTEP overview report contains the facts and figures on Vermont's electricity supply right now.

Some highlights:

Vermont's electricity retail electricity price rose from 14 cents to 15 cents per kWh, while most other states retail prices fell (Rhode Island's price also rose).

Vermont used 1.8 million MWh of "system power" (bought from the New England grid) in 2012, while they used only 0.8 million MWh of "system power" in 2011. In 2011, Vermont Yankee contracts were in place.

Since Vermont classifies large hydro as renewable, Vermont electricity supply is slightly more than 50% renewable. This includes the power from Hydro Quebec.

Green Mountain Power bought approximately 0.3 million MWh from a combination of Millstone and NextEra (Seabrook) nuclear plants . These purchases were separate from GMP's purchases of "system power" from the grid, which also included these plants.

This VTEP report is well worth studying!

For example, I note that if you add the nuclear plant purchases to the new "system power" purchases, you get 1.3 million MWh. Vermont used to purchase approximately 2.0 million MWh from Vermont Yankee. I urge you to read the report and draw your own conclusions about renewables, Vermont Yankee, and the new expanded role of "system power" in Vermont.